New technologies increase distracted driving risk

April 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) New technologies increase distracted driving risk

Article provided by Hoover Andrews, PLLC
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Not long ago, drunk drivers and drowsy drivers were two of the most significant threats on our nation's highways. Although drunk driving and drowsy driving are still a problem in the U.S., the proliferation of cell phone technology in recent years has led to the emergence of distracted driving as leading factor in motor vehicle accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,092 people were killed and an additional 419,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers in 2010, the last year for which statistics are available. Overall, distracted driving related crashes accounted for approximately 18 percent of all motor vehicle accidents that year. Further studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further indicate the severity of the problem:
-Each day, about 15 people are killed in distracted driving related crashes in the U.S.
-Each day, approximately 1200 people are injured in distracted driving related crashes in the U.S.
-Nearly half of drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 admit to using their cell phones to text, check email and update social networks while behind the wheel

Unfortunately, due to consumers' increasing demand to be connected at all times, this problem is not likely to disappear any time soon. In fact, attempts to alleviate the dangers associated with cell phone use while driving may even be part of the problem. For example, although safety advocates at one time touted the use of hands-free devices and systems as safe, responsible alternatives to hand-held cell phone use, recent studies indicate that these systems offer few safety benefits.

Researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute evaluated the performance of a group of drivers on a closed track. Half the drivers used their cell phones to talk to friends, compose and receive texts and check emails. The remaining half used hands-free devices to perform the same tasks. As anticipated, drivers using their cell phones performed poorly on the test. Researchers were surprised to find, however, that those using hands-free devices did no better. The results indicate that the action of composing even a short text requires so much cognitive attention that it can adversely affect a person's ability to control a motor vehicle.

Contact a personal injury attorney

If you or someone you love has suffered serious injury in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. An attorney with experience in handling personal injury cases can assess your claim and help you get the fair and adequate compensation you deserve for your injuries and medical bills. For more information about what a personal injury attorney can do for you, contact a lawyer today.